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| Benjamin and Emmanuel Sowah |
Hailing from La the brothers grew up singing. In fact Ben from about the age of 4 recalls singing tunes in return for little gifts from family who would use it to entice him to sing.
When I asked them what had influenced the predominantly Ga album, I was told that a good upbringing, a Presbyterian background makes understanding the language very easy. In addition being a Christian for several years had given them a solid foundation for song writing.
Ben recalled his great enthusiasm when during youth camp meetings he would spend endless nights composing songs to run with the theme of the camp and then would teach the song before camp was over. However serious song writing for them started in 1989/90 when they realized they had a knack for writing Ga songs. Such was the background of these two distinguished gentlemen.
So at what point did they decide to produce an album? Well I found out that this was their second attempt. Their first attempt was in 1997 but distance between the brothers was problematic for recording. Even though about a third of their songs were recorded their busy schedules brought the project to a halt.
When in 2001 Jude Lomotey who used to sing in the same group with Ben headed by Reverend T Banfro (another strong influence) decided to release her album titled ? Ebe Si Yie? and needed a Ga song to add to it, Ben had the perfect song, it was none other than ? Mo ko mo ko be ni to mo bo? which turned out to be a hit. Ben adds that Jude sang that song better than the duo would have ever been able to. That song was ?made? for her.
Finally on November 10 2002, The Sowers managed to release their maiden album. Titled ? Obe ye ama yen?. This dynamic piece includes tracks like ? Yesu ale, Ayilo Futaa and Shidaa ahabo.?
According to The Sowers say the objective of the album ?is to bring encouragement to the body of Christ especially those ? who morn in Zion? and ? to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.? Isaiah 61:3.
Like most new gospel artistes their main challenge has been finding a producer. The duo says most producers are looking for ?already baked? artistes, which makes finding a producer very difficult especially since they are workers.
The Sowers continue to ?sow? into the lives of their listeners by the numerous songs they continue to write. Their message to Ghanaians which underlies all their songs says don?t weep, God will come is made much clearer in their song ?Gyae Su.?
